Tea Tree Oil – What is tea tree oil used for?
Table of contents
Tea Tree Oil—An Efficient Natural Product To Treat Skin Issues
The Australian Aboriginals, the native population of Australia, have applied the antiseptic features of the Tea Tree for decades (probably centuries). Since they discovered how to utilize the leaves of the trees, they’ve been treating various skin problems with incredible success. The white population of Australia however, did not become aware of its medical use until the 1920s [1][2][3][4] the year when its benefits were first scientifically documented. The success of the remedial effects spread, and as of today, Tea Tree Oil is used all over the world.
The Australian Aboriginals called the areas the Tea Tree grew the ‘Healing Ground’—read the story here
Compared to phenol, Tea Tree Oil turned out to be the most effective Australian natural oil for disinfection. In the 1920s, phenol was widely employed as the most common disinfectant in hospitals around the world.
In the 1940s, Tea Tree Oil was brushed aside by penicillin. But with the spread of MRSA in the 1980s, Tea Tree Oil was once again sought after. In the late 1980s, reports on the effectiveness of Tea Tree Oil were published by Australian tea tree farmers.
In the 1990s, the Australian Ministry of Agriculture opened a major investigation into these claims. The purpose was to ensure that the Australian Tea Tree industry would be able to survive the increasing interest in antiseptic oils.
Tea Tree Oil is a pure natural product consisting of 150 different ingredients. All these constituents make up the gentle yet highly antiseptic quality of the oil.
The original Tea Tree Oil comes from the Australian tree, Melaleuca Alternifolia. Because of its softness on the skin, the oil can be used by women, men, girls and boys of all ages. The oil is often used as a treatment for various skin conditions, such as fungus, dandruff, blisters, spotty skin, pimples, cold sores, mosquito bites etc[5][6] [7][8] [1] [9] [10].
Tea Tree Oil is also an excellent emergency treatment remedy to have in the medicine cabinet, since the oil treats numerous skin issues and skin irritations. There is no danger in trying out Tea Tree Oil for your specific skin issue. The oil will not worsen your symptoms and in the worst-case scenario your condition will simply remain unchanged. More than likely, the Tea Tree Oil will completely cure your problem or at least alleviate the symptoms.
Read More: Benefits Of Using Tea Tree Oil
Try Tea Tree Oil On Your Skin Condition
Tea Tree Oil can be applied anywhere on the body, generally without side effects. The oil is a cure-all remedy and can thus be used on the face, on the body and in the scalp and the hair. Nonetheless, the Tea Tree Oil should always be used in accordance with the instructions that come with oils approved for cosmetic purposes and be diluted according to the package insert.
Tea Tree Oil and Safety
Pure Tea Tree Oil should not be used undiluted on the skin. You must always read the package insert and use the product accordingly. Be careful not to use ethereal oils sold without a package insert.
When trying out a new remedy, always test out the product on a small area of the skin to identify any negative reactions, such as allergies, to the product first.
Read More: 11 Tea Tree Oil Uses
Tea Tree Oil To Treat Pimples And Spotty Skin
Pimples and acne [11]cause significant issues for a great number of people. Young people are often the most severely affected. But for some, the issues of pimples, black heads and acne do not go away over the years, unfortunately. It’s understandable that people suffering from such conditions are willing to try just about anything to get rid of the pimples.
However, before spending a fortune on random products, doing a little research on what actually has the desired effect is incredibly valuable.
When struggling with unclear skin, it’s important to clean the affected area every morning and every night to eliminate bacteria. But at the same time, be careful not to over-wash, since it may cause the skin to dry out.
You need to apply moisture and protection to your skin. Because of its antiseptic quality, Tea Tree Oil is known for beneficial effects on pimples and unclear skin (pimples occur because of bacterial developments in clogged sebaceous glands).
You can buy soaps for pimples, face washes for pimples, moisturizers for pimples. All containing Tea Tree Oil as the active ingredient. In all products, just the right amount of the oil is added for the product to have the desired effect.
Tea Tree Oil And Fungus
Fungus infections are very uncomfortable. Luckily, because of the antipruritic quality of Tea Tree Oil, it has an immediate soothing effect on fungus infections.
A vast number of people are affected by nail fungus and foot fungus [12] [13]. Of course, this uncomfortable skin condition can be rather difficult to get the better of. Symptoms include severe pruritus, skin irritation and flaky skin between the toes.
Australian Bodycare’s body wash and body cream contain antiseptic Tea Tree Oil and are well suited for keeping the skin clean and in good condition. The products have both a soothing and cooling effect, while countering loose and itchy skin.
Using Tea Tree Oil To Treat Dandruff
Dandruff is caused, in most cases, by a yeast fungus called Pityrosporum Ovale. The condition refers to the shedding of dead skin cells on one’s scalp. Ultimately, there is nothing dangerous about dandruff, but it is quite uncomfortable and unsightly. The white flakes are usually seen on your clothing and too often, dandruff comes with an itchy scalp.
To treat dandruff most efficiently, wash your hair with a Tea Tree Oil shampoo that targets the yeast fungus and hence the annoying dandruff. Tea Tree Oil contains ingredients that eliminate bacteria and pruritus, which explains why a shampoo with Tea Tree Oil is an effective remedy for dandruff[14].
Our line of hair care products with Tea Tree Oil consists of a shampoo, a conditioner and a scalp mask. These products have been developed to neutralize irritation of the scalp and dandruff. All contain Tea Tree Oil, known for its gentle application, as well as antiseptic and antipruritic effects.
Often, you experience dandruff for the first time in puberty. During this time of hormone overproduction, many also experience issues with greasy hair. When you suffer from greasy hair, the first impulse is to wash the hair more frequently than you would normally do—and possibly with a shampoo designed especially for oily hair.
But when deciding on a shampoo, you should actually base your decision on the condition of your scalp, not your hair. Most people are unaware of this fact which commonly results in the scalp drying out and becoming irritated. It is perfectly possible to end up with oily hair and a dry scalp at the same time. Always choose a shampoo based on the condition of your scalp—then the hair must be treated by different means.
Read More About: How To Get Rid Of Dandruff
Tea Tree Oil And Cold Sores
Cold sores are uncomfortable and a reoccurring problem, sadly. So-called ‘cold sores’ are actually caused by the herpes simplex virus HSV-1, and once the virus has entered your system, there is no getting rid of it. Nevertheless, the frequency of the actual breakouts of the virus vary greatly from person to person.
Visible signs of a cold sore are small blisters on the lips and around the mouth. The blisters are tender and painful, and unfortunately quite noticeable in the middle of the face.
When a cold sore starts to develop, it is time to take immediate action. Australian Bodycare’s body cream and spot stick contain both nourishing and repairing ingredients, ideal for treatment of the sensitive area around the mouth.
Tea Tree Oil And Sunburns
The best way to deal with sunburns is to prevent them in the first place. For that reason, applying a proper sunscreen is crucial. Of course, also be careful of how much time you spend in the sun in order to avoid unnecessary damage to the skin.
However, if the harm is already done, pampering the skin with a sufficient amount of moisturizer is essential. Moisturizing the skin will also help minimize the pain.
Finally, to speed your sunburn’s healing, apply our body lotion with Tea Tree Oil as an active ingredient.
A Cure-All Remedy With Numerous Qualities
Tea Tree Oil is well-known, all-natural cure-all remedy for a long list of various skin problems and conditions.
No Less Than 150 Ingredients
What makes Tea Tree Oil stand out as unique is the carefully balanced, optimum combination of ingredients. Tea Tree Oil contains no less than 150 different ingredients, which all enable the oil to actively counter bacteria and solve a long list of skin problems.
Out of those 150 organic components, eight stand out as the most important. These eight components make sure that the oil is of the highest possible quality. From these eight components, the two key players are cineole and terpineol. Cineol is a substance absorbed in our system through the nose or the lungs when the ethereal oil is inhaled. However, the most important is terpineol. Terpineol is the substance that holds the antiseptic qualities of the Tea Tree Oil. The Australian quality requirements for genuine Tea Tree Oil is a concentration of at least 30 % terpineol and less than 15 % cineol. Typically, the level of terpineol in Australian Tea Tree Oil is more than 40% [15].
Documented Effects
Through the years, research has been conducted on the effect of Tea Tree Oil and how to properly put it to use. So far, more than 1,600 scientific articles have been written on Tea Tree Oil going back to 1904 and 50-60 new studies join the collection every year.
That Tea Tree Oil counters bacteria is a well-known fact. What is most striking though, is how the oil helps to restore the normal bacterial balance of the skin. At high concentrations from 0,25% to 8%, the oil kills all harmful bacteria on the skin. Even at low concentrations below 0,1%, the oil prevents the persistent fungus, Candia Albicans, from settling in the skin. [16]. Candia Albicans is a very common yeast fungus found on the skin, the mucous membrane in the mouth, the vagina, the urethra and the intestines.
The Difference In Quality Of Tea Tree Oils
As an ordinary consumer, distinguishing between the many different varieties of Tea Tree Oil can be quite difficult. But the difference in quality between products, and thus the effects, can vary greatly.
The original Tea Tree Oil is a pure natural product and comes from the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree, which grows in Australia. Only when extracted from this exact tree will the oil will possess its unique healing and antiseptic qualities.
This oil specifically has the right combination of the 150 ingredients. Oils from other trees simply do not have the same beneficial advantages.
The Original Tea Tree Oil Is Only Produced In Australia
Tea Tree Oil is a 100% natural ethereal oil. In other words: a highly concentrated oil. The oil is extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, Melaleuca Alternifolia, by means of steam distillation. The leaves and buds contain 1,8% ethereal oil, known for its skin care benefits.
Extracting Tea Tree Oil Is A Very Specific Process
Genuine Tea Tree Oil is solely extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. The right combination of ingredients comes from this particular tree—the ingredients that ensure the antiseptic nature of the oil.
Once the tree reaches the age of 18 months and a height of 5.9 feet, the leaves can be harvested, but then the tree needs to regenerate. After around 12-24 months, the process can then be repeated.
Immediately after being harvested, the leaves are steam distilled (the process of blowing hot steam though the leaves). This procedure is crucial to capture all the active ingredients in the leaves while they are still fresh. After the steam has condensed, the oil settles on the surface of the water and is at this point analysed to verify the quality. If the quality of the left-over leaves is approved, these are used for facial scrubs as a substitute to micro plastics.
Most importantly, the trees need the just the right environmental conditions to flourish. So, needless to say, bad conditions for the trees reflect directly on the quality of the oil.
The Best Tea Trees Grow In Australia
As the Australian Tea Tree Oil grew in popularity world-wide, farmers have attempted to grow tea trees and extract the oil in numerous countries, but all without success. Either the trees have failed to flourish or the quality of the oil itself has simply been too poor.
The ultimate Tea Tree Oil originates from a limited geographical location in New South Wales, Australia. Around the area of Lismore, you’ll find a boggy rainforest landscape that offers the ideal conditions for the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. Consequently, the result is nothing less than the very best Tea Tree Oil in the world.
FAQ om Tea Tree Oil
What is Tea Tree Oil used for?
Tea Tree Oil is an all-natural product with a beneficial effect on a number of skin issues, due to the antiseptic nature of the oil. Do note that the oil is meant for external use only.
What is Tea Tree Oil?
Tea Tree Oil is an all-natural product extracted from the Australian Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. The oil is known for its antibacterial ability, which quickly and efficiently treats various skin irritations and problems.
What does Tea Tree Oil do?
Tea Tree Oil disinfects while healing the skin. For that reason, the oil is an effective treatment for a long list of skin problems, such as pimples, dandruff and irritated skin.
Where can you buy Tea Tree Oil?
Tea Tree Oil is sold at health food stores, drugstores and pharmacies. However, make sure you buy only authentic Tea Tree Oil. Unfortunately, due to the popularity of the oil, you will find many low-quality counterfeit products that will not have the documented effects of the original Tea Tree Oil.
How to use Tea Tree Oil?
Tea Tree Oil is intended for external use only. You can either buy the oil pure or mixed into different products, like shampoos, face washes, conditioners, body washes and lotions.
Can Tea Tree Oil be harmful to use?
Yes, if used properly. Tea Tree Oil is an all-natural product intended for external use and, thus, the oil should not be ingested. Never use undiluted Tea Tree Oil directly on the skin, and always follow the directions provided on the package insert.
Tea Tree Oil from Australian Bodycare has undergone proper safety assessments and can be found in the European database of cosmetics, CPNP. ‘Safe usage’ is specified on the packaging and the package insert.
Other ethereal oils are sold with no instructions on safe usage. These are sold as either aromatherapies or chemicals.
Can allergens be found in Tea Tree Oil?
Tea Tree Oil has a natural content of limonene, geraniol and linalool. The collective content of allergens is approximately 1% in pure Tea Tree Oil. To compare, lavender oil contains approximately 40% allergens, while lemon oil contains more than 70% (see table below)
The amount of Tea Tree Oil in Australian Bodycare’s products is adjusted for the specific usage. For instance, our body lotion holds 1% Tea Tree Oil, which makes the total allergen content 0,01%.
The table below shows the content of allergens in 100% pure Tea Tree Oil, lemon oil and lavender oil.
As shown, 72 times as many allergens can be found in lemon oil in comparison to pure Tea Tree Oil, and for lavender oil the case is 40 times as many.
Is Tea Tree Oil allergenic?
When trying out a new skin care product, always apply the product on a limit test area of your skin to see if you have any allergic reaction—especially if you have allergy prone skin. But generally speaking, Tea Tree Oil is not allergenic.
All products from Australian Bodycare are dermatologically tested. Hence, the products are extremely gentle even on the most sensitive skin.
Sources
1. Penfold AR, Grant R.; The germicidal values of the principal commercial Eucalyptus oils and their pure constituents, with observations on the value of concentrated disinfectants (Part I); Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales; 1923.
2. Penfold AR, Grant R.; The germicidal values of the pure constituents of Australian essential oils, together with those for some essential oil isolates and synthetics (Part II).; Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales; 1924
3. Penfold AR, Grant R.; The germicidal values of the pure constituents of Australian essential oils, together with those for some essential oil isolates and synthetics (Part III).; Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales; 1925
4. Penfold AR, Grant R.; The germicidal values of some Australian essential oils and their pure constituents, together with those for some essential oil components, and synthetic substances (Part IV).; Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales; 1926
